[nflug] Converting from dual boot to virtual machine

Cyber Source peter at thecybersource.com
Thu Feb 21 15:11:09 EST 2008


I do have some clients using Rosetta Stone for learning languages and it 
works flawlessly

Joe wrote:
> Cyber Source wrote:
>   
>> I do it here all the time for my clients. Download the vmware
>> converter, here's a read---
>> http://www.petri.co.il/virtual_convert_physical_machines_to_virtual_machines_with_vmware_converter.htm
>>
>> This will create a virtual machine out of your existing windows boot
>> that you can run VERBATIM under your Linux side, all the installed
>> applications etc, will be exactly as they were. Of course certain
>> things that were needed for the physical will no longer be
>> needed/applicable/work, you can tweak accordingly. You CANNOT do this
>> without some sort of alternative data location, i.e. network share,
>> USB drive, etc., as this process CANNOT dump onto itself. You can then
>> go on to download and run the FREE vmplayer to run your new vm. There
>> are a few gotchas along the way, like tricks to "fix" windows
>> activation, as the machine will create a new product code, that you
>> should change so the activation feature works. I've done this many
>> many times and could do this in our shop here. I normally charge 4hrs
>> for such a job, if you want us to do it for you, contact us off list.
>> p.s. the really nice thing about this is you can then just tar up your
>> entire Linux with the vm and you've got everything, just slap it on a
>> dvd and you have a nice backup of all.
>> Joe wrote:
>>     
>>> My notebook is an HP Pavilion dv5020us - 1GB ram, 100GB disk, Centrino
>>> Duo  1.6 GHz.
>>> It is currently set up as dual boot Win XP Pro Media Center Edition and
>>> kubuntu gutsy Linux.  XP came pre-installed and I do *not* have any
>>> install disks.  I do have restore files on the disk and  emergency
>>> restore disks (that will wipe out everything that wasn't pre-installed
>>> including Linux and put back a bunch of stuff I deleted).
>>>
>>> Both os's have a lot of stuff installed and configured on them.  Right
>>> now, I use XP on an exception basis for those things that Linux doesn't
>>> have or that won't run under wine first try (because I have no clue as
>>> to a second try).
>>>
>>> What I would like to do is run some windows applications from Linux
>>> without rebooting.
>>>
>>> I know there are a bunch of virtualization products out there.  I own a
>>> couple of Vmware Workstation 4.x licenses that I have never used.
>>>
>>> My notebook is used almost exclusively by me although I have one or two
>>> other end user accounts on it.
>>>
>>> I am an experienced user and was a professional programmer, but now my
>>> focus is primarily as an end user who wants to get things done as
>>> opposed to spending lots of time configuring, installing and debugging.
>>>
>>> The main Windows applications I want to run are:
>>> Dragon Naturally Speaking (as current as possible)
>>> Maximizer (contact manager that does things that I can't find on Linux)
>>> TurboTax
>>> Omnipage
>>> Copernic Search
>>> and a small number of windows-only professional application packages.
>>>
>>> I also want to occasionally run various discount software packages for
>>> windows and Idea Fisher.  I may want to try Vongo or Netflix.
>>>
>>> And, it's really helpful to be in Windows when working with an ISP or
>>> hardware vendor on problems.
>>>
>>> What approach would work best for me?
>>>
>>> It would be great if I didn't have to reinstall one or both os's from
>>> scratch.
>>>
>>>
>>> TIA
>>>
>>> Joe
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nflug mailing list
>>> nflug at nflug.org
>>> http://www.nflug.org/mailman/listinfo/nflug
>>>   
>>>       
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>>     
> Great.  That sounds lovely.  I'll look into it.  If you charge 4 hours
> for it, it's probably more than I want to do on my own, but we'll see.
>
> Do you have any clients using Dragon Naturally Speaking under Vmware? 
> That's the one app that I really can't do without.  Rita and I have a
> bunch of writing to do.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Joe
>
> Joe
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